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Greymouth Star
New Zealand
2 - Saturday, November 8, 2014
PICTURE: Nicholas McBride
Old fashioned fun
Karoro School’s new entrants run through the parachute during a games afternoon yesterday. The school held a mufti day, with
some children dressed up in cultural attire, and enjoyed an afternoon of games. The Marsden Valley education centre teachers also
came along and shared a few old fashioned games with the older children.
PICTURE: Paul McBride
Wellington builder Rob Cope was in Greymouth with his fridge promoting
and raising money for his Project Wildman, and his book titled Men Wanted
for Hazardous Journey. “It ’s for all men and covers anger, depression, anxiety,
broken marriage and strained relationships with fathers we hardly know,”
Mr Cope said. Mr Cope and his fridge left Wellington four days ago and
arrived from Westport yesterday afternoon. He will head south to Bluff before
returning to Wellington. He was guest speaker at The Hub in Cobden last
evening.
Fridge man in town
Ran to court in
gumboots
Westport
A man ran to Westport District Court
in gumboots yesterday so as not to miss
his appearance.
Once there, Darshan Lauder, 19,
pleaded guilty to a breach of release
conditions.
Probation officer Kerry Aston said
Lauder had come to Westport from
Nelson for work but failed to provide
probation with the necessary details.
Probation in Nelson recommended
Lauder be convicted and discharged
although Mr Aston said he had a
history of non-compliance.
Defending, David Holloway said
Lauder was working on a dairy farm
some distance from town and “ran to
court in his gumboots” as he had no
other way of getting to town.
Judge Chris Somer ville said Lauder’s
criminal record looked bad in that he’d
been sent to jail and couldn’t comply
with his release conditions.
He now had a good job. Judge
Somer ville told Lauder to work hard
and spend his money wisely.
He convicted and discharged him and
ordered him to pay court costs.
—
Westport News
Call for tourists to sit
driving tests reignited
Christchurch
A horror rental van smash that killed
three Hong Kong tourists in Central
Otago on Thursday has reignited calls for
overseas visitors to sit driving tests before
getting behind the wheel.
Driver Wing Fai Chan, 60, also known
as Allan, and two female rear-seat
passengers — Kwai Tei Chong, 61, also
known as Connie, and Yin Wan Ng, 56
—
died after their hired vehicle collided
with a truck and trailer unit on State
Highway 6 near Luggate, in the Wanaka
area, about 4pm.
The triple tragedy is the latest in a string
of serious smashes involving tourist
drivers.
While tourists are blamed for fewer
than 2% of annual fatal crashes, the rate
soars to 25% in the tourist hot-spots of
Queenstown and Wanaka.
Overseas drivers were involved in 493
injury or death crashes in the Otago and
Southland regions from 2009 to 2013.
The New Zealand Transport Agency
(NZTA) is working with the Ministry
of Transport, police, local councils, the
Automobile Association and the tourism
sector to target tourist hotbeds.
They are making sure rest areas and
scenic spots popular for photographs are
safe to negotiate and include clear road
signage.
An NZTA spokesman yesterday said its
approach aimed to make every part of the
transport system safer — vehicles, roads
and roadsides, speeds and road users.
The NZTA has also developed steering
wheel tags, distributed to Rental Vehicle
Association (RVA) members, which
remind drivers of safe speeds, safe
overtaking, keeping left, wearing seatbelts
and the dangers of driver fatigue. But
road safety campaigner Clive Matthew-
Wilson has slammed the Government ’s
strategy for dealing with tourist accidents
as a failure.
“Hardly a week goes by without a serious
accident involving foreign nationals using
our roads, yet the Government ’s response
has been largely restricted to giving out
brochures and stickers telling foreigners
to drive safely,” he said.
Recent arrivals to New Zealand should
be required to pass an interactive driving
test before renting a vehicle, according
to Mr Matthew-Wilson. But Simon
Douglas of the AA Research Foundation
dismissed tests as “neither practical or
effective”. The AA supported the NZTA
approach in improving information and
signage around high-visitor traffic routes,
he said.
“ We think there are great gains to be
made there.”
Mr Douglas said tourist accidents
did not typically involve high speeds
or alcohol. They more often involved
looking the wrong way while exiting
highly trafficked visitor sites, drifting
across centrelines, or succumbing to a
natural instinct by reverting to their usual
side of the road.
In the latest crash, the van was turning
from a give way sign at the bottom of
a steep incline in a 100km/h area. Tyre
marks from the truck were evident in the
left-hand lane of the highway for about
50m.
The badly damaged van ended up on its
side on the highway and part of it was
cut away to remove the bodies. The truck
ended up on the wrong side of the road,
with its trailer jack-knifed. Police said the
intersection could be tricky, and suggested
sunstrike might have contributed to an
earlier crash at the same spot.
RVA president Ian Berrington said
tourist crashes were a “worrying trend”.
“There is a question as to whether we
can do more in the way of education to
assist visiting drivers to drive safely on
our roads,” said Mr Berrington, also Apex
Car Rentals operations manager.
The RVA’s toolkit is given to overseas
drivers when they book and collect their
vehicles. It has also commissioned an
information video highlighting some of
the risks, and differences, in driving on
New Zealand roads.
—
NZME
Motorcyclist
dead after
collision
with truck
Tauranga
A man is dead after his
motorbike collided with
a ten tonne truck last
night.
At about 8:10pm
a man on a Harley
Davidson travelling
towards Tauranga on
State Highway 2 near
Whakamarama collided
with a Nissan truck and
trailer unit turning right
into Gill Lane.
Sergeant Mike Owen
from Western Bay of
Plenty Highway Patrol
said the motorcyclist,
a 34 year old Tauranga
man, died at the scene.
The driver of the Nissan
truck, also a Tauranga
man, was uninjured.
The highway was closed
until about 10:30pm
as emergency ser vices
attended the scene.
The Serious Crash Unit
visited the accident scene
and investigations were
continuing into what
caused the crash.
Police said anyone who
saw the Nissan truck or
the motorcycle near State
Highway 2 and Gill
Lane around the time of
the crash should contact
Tauranga police.
Police said the name of
name of the motorcyclist
would be released when
next of kin were advised.
—
NZME
League players moan
about drunken students
Dunedin
The English rugby league has been
red-carded by Otago Racing’s boss after
some Southern hospitality was thrown
back in his face.
According to the UK’s Daily Star
newspaper, the English rugby league
team had to “endure” the presence
of drunken Dunedin students at the
Melbourne Cup Day at Wingatui on
Tuesday.
However, Otago Racing Club chief
executive Andre Klein said the English
players were given tickets to the event
and put up in a corporate marquee,
where they spent the afternoon having
a good time.
The British newspaper quoted hooker
Daryl Clark, who has been named on
the bench for tonight ’s test against the
Kiwis, as saying English players were
greeted by “some special sights” when
they visited the Wingatui racecourse.
“I have never seen as many drunk
people in my life,” Clark said.
“It’s a student town and they are
coming to the end of their exams and it
was a big day for them.
“They started drinking at 7am so you
can imagine what it was like when we
got there at 3pm.
“We were all sober so it was a bit of
an eye-opener. We didn’t stay too long
when we realised what it was like.”
While the players were not seen
drinking, they were having a good time,
Mr Klein said.
“They arrived at 3pm and left after the
Melbourne Cup which started at 5,” he
said.
“ I kind of regret giving those rugby
league players tickets now.”
He took the criticism personally,
especially considering behaviour at this
year’s event was “a lot, lot better”.
“ We had very few reported incidents
and people were still having a good
time,” he said.
University of Otago vice-chancellor
Professor
Harlene Hayne
was
unavailable for comment yesterday,
however, a university spokeswoman
said in many instances the people who
appeared intoxicated were not students.
Police said earlier this week, although
intoxication levels were troubling at
Wingatui, behaviour was good at the
event with only three arrests made —
one for assault and two for disorderly
behaviour.
“ It’s not a pleasant sight to see some
of the girls in the states they get in,”
Clutha-Taieri area response manager
Senior Sergeant Alastair Dickie said.
“ It’s something we need to look at a
wee bit closer, because really strictly
speaking they shouldn’t be getting into
the complex in that state.”
The test match between England and
the Kiwis kicks off at 8pm at Forsyth
Barr Stadium.
—
Otago Daily Times
Tauranga
The man police claimed AC/DC
drummer Phil Rudd tried to hire to
kill two people is pleased the charge of
attempting to procure a murder has been
withdrawn against the rock star.
A spokeswoman for Tauranga
Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones
confirmed this afternoon the charge had
been withdrawn after Rudd’s lawyer,
Paul Mabey QC, issued a statement
announcing the sensational u-turn by
authorities.
Rudd, 60, appeared in court yesterday
after police raided his home in Tauranga.
He was accused of attempting to hire
one person to kill two others, and of
threatening to kill another.
He was also charged with possession of
methamphetamine and cannabis.
Mr Mabey said: “I was advised by the
Crown Solicitor Hollister-Jones that
he had reviewed the police file and the
available evidence to support the charge
of attempting to procure murder.
He had formed the view that there
was insufficient evidence to justify that
charge.
He has now withdrawn the charge.”
Yesterday afternoon, the man who
was named in court documents as
the “intended hitman” told the New
Zealand Herald he believed the matter
had blown out of proportion.
He described himself as a “family man”
—
not a hitman — and said it was
“good” the charges were dropped.
But he did not blame police, who he
said were just doing their job.
The man questioned whether any
suggestion of a murder plot by Mr Rudd,
whom he considered a friend but had
not spoken with since charges were laid
yesterday, was simply “hot air”.
He was leaving town yesterday
afternoon and could not say when he
would return.
A spokeswoman for the Crown said
the decision to lay charges was a matter
for the police.
However, Mr Mabey said the charge
“should never have been laid. The Crown
Solicitors opinion was not sought. The
charge is now withdrawn — within 24
hours of Mr Rudd’s first appearance in
court”.
He said his client had “suffered
unnecessary and extremely damaging
publicity as a result of widespread and
sensational reporting of a very serious
allegation, which, on any basis, was never
justified”.
“The damage to Mr Rudd is
incalculable. Q uestions arise as to the
degree of care taken by those responsible
for arresting and charging him with
attempting to procure murder.”
When asked by the Herald about
the u-turn, Crown spokeswoman Jan
Fulstow said: “It is a matter for the
police. The police do not have to come
to the Crown to seek permission to lay
charges.
The police make decisions on charges
etc having regard for the evidence that
they have.
“ Whether or not someone is high
profile makes no difference, it is a matter
for the police.”
While police did not need permission
from the Crown to lay a charge, they
had to be confident that they had a
case strong enough against an alleged
offender to pass the test required under
the Solicitor-General’s prosecution
guidelines.
Police said: “After a first appearance in
court (Rudd) was bailed to reappear on
November 27.
“ In matters of this nature the Crown
Solicitor then becomes responsible for
the prosecution.
“ Today the Crown reviewed the charges
and made the decision to withdraw the
charge of attempting to procure murder.
Other charges remain before the court.
As this matter is before the court, police
will not be giving inter views on this
statement.”
Mr Hollister-Jones’ office confirmed
that after Rudd’s appearance in court,
the Crown Solicitor’s office became
responsible for his prosecution.
“The file was obtained and reviewed.
Mr Hollister-Jones made the decision
that there was insufficient evidence to
proceed with the charge of attempting
to procure a murder.
The police and counsel for Mr Rudd
were advised of the decision.
“ No further comment can be because
there are three other charges before the
court. ”
Rudd still faces the remaining charges,
and could face a maximum of seven years
if convicted of threatening to kill.
He has been remanded on bail until
November 27. His bail conditions
include that he lives at his Tauranga
home.
—
NZME
ILTON.
—
Ben and
Ashlee are thrilled to
announce the arrival
of Sofia Violet, born
October 30, 2014. A
beautiful
sister
for
Shaylyn. A big thank
you to Mary and the
staff
at McBrearty
Ward.
BIRTHS
SMITH, Therese. —
A beautiful lady has
gone away.
Forever in our hearts,
Therese you will always
stay.
—
Simon,
Steph,
Jasmine, Eli, Nick, Ben
and Josh.
THOMPSON, Shirley.
—
Diane, Lynn, Leeann
and families sincerely
thank everyone for their
love and support given
in the loss of our
very dearly
loved
Mum, sister, grand-
mother,
great-grand-
mother,
aunty and
friend. Thanks for all the
cards, baking, flowers
and phone calls. Special
thanks to Kowhai Manor
staff, Dr Boddington,
Greta Smith and Grey
Base Hospital for the
love and care given to
Mum over many years.
SMITH, Therese
Maureen.
—
On
November 4, 2014,
loved daughter of the
late Jack and Monnie
Morris, loved daughter-
in-law of the late Jim
and Eileen Smith, loved
sister and sister-in-law
of Patricia and the late
Don Keene, Bernard
Morris (deceased), and
Gerard Morris, loved
sister-in-law of Pat
Somers (deceased), Ron
(deceased) and Ethel
Smith, Terry (deceased)
and Ruth Smith, Brian
(deceased) and Lynne
Smith, Jim (deceased)
and Val Smith, Colleen
and the late Paddy
Leighton, Mary and
Allen Palmer, and Kate
and Denis McKay. Rest
In Peace.
HUNTER, (nee Thorn)
Frances Mary.
—
QSM, JP. Graham,
Lynette and Peter, Bruce
and Nadine, Angela and
Darrin, and families
wish to acknowledge
the wonderful support
shown to them in the
sudden and unexpected
passing of a much loved
wife, mother, mother-
in-law, nana, sister-in-
law and friend to many.
Thank you for the many
cards, visits, phone calls,
baking and flowers.
Special thanks to the
Reefton Fire Brigade
and Reefton Police for
their guard of honour.
We also offer special
thanks to Robin Hill and
Anisy Funeral Home for
their care and kindness.
Please accept this as
a personal acknowledg-
ment to you all.
APPRECIATION
SMITH, Therese
Maureen.
—
Passed
away
on
Tuesday
November 4, 2014 as
the result of a tragic
accident, dearly loved
wife of the late Denis,
much loved mum of
Karl and Eunice (North
Queensland), Lucy
and Murray Brown
(Mackay), Kate and
Colin Meers (Karratha,
Western
Australia),
Kellie
and Wogga
Ramsden (Greymouth),
and Felicity and Nigel
Welford (Temuka),
loved and adored Gran
and Granny Smith of
James and Malanka;
Liam and Tia; Sam and
Jack; Matt and Toni;
Kevin and Brooke;
Louis
and Eilish;
Rachel, Joshua,
Shekinah, Halle and
Arwen,
and
great-
granny Smith of Caitlin
and Myra, and a much
loved aunty. Aged 68
years. Rest In Peace.
Messages to 276
Marsden Road, Grey-
mouth 7805. Flowers
respectfully declined. A
Funeral Mass will be
celebrated for Therese at
St Patrick's Catholic
Church, High Street,
Greymouth on Monday
at 11am followed by
interment
at
the
Gladstone
Memorial
Park Cemetery. A Vigil
service will be held at
the church tomorrow
(Sunday) at 7pm. Anisy
Funeral Home, Grey-
mouth.
Greymouth’s
only Cremator
Ph 768 0250
Why have your loved
ones taken away
from the Coast for
Cremation?
WESTLAND
WESTLAND
FUNERAL
FUNERAL
SERVICES &
SERVICES &
CREMATORIUM
CREMATORIUM
The only Funeral
Home in Greymouth
offering Coasters
local cremation
services on site
Ensuring you get Expertise
and Qualified Funeral
Service
westlandfuneralservice.com
HARRISON, Wayne.
—
Of Bannockburn.
Passed away peacefully
at home, aged 72 years.
Dearly loved husband of
Adele, loved father
of Samantha, Verity,
Amy and partner Greg.
Messages to 217D
Bannockburn Road,
Cromwell 9384.
Old Fashioned Values,
Old Fashioned Ethics
Ph7685868
A
NI
SYFUNE
RAL
HOME
DEATHS
DEATHS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Charges withdrawn
Residents
were
evacuated from Westport ’s
O’Conor Home yesterday
after a false alarm at the
premises.
Westport fire chief
Pat O’Dea said that the
fire ser vice was called
to the home, however,
despite there being no
fire, Mr O’Dea said that
the home’s procedures
worked well in evacuating
residents. The fire ser vice
also avoided a small scrub
fire near Westport’s wharf
reaching it. Mr O’Dea
said they were called to a
small scrub fire at about
6pm, which thankfully
did not make it to the
old wooden structure,
other wise “it would have
burned for days” he said.
Meanwhile
in
Greymouth an area of
120 square metres of gorse
and flax near the West
Coast Regional Council
was burnt yesterday after
being ignited up by a
spark from a brazier.
Greymouth fire Chief
Lee Swinburne said an
area between the beach
and cycle track caught
fire after a spark escaped
a brazier being used for
a fire. Mr Swinburne
said that two applicances
attended and took about
20 minutes to put out the
fire.
He said that although
the brazier was partly
enc losed, there
were
holes in the bottom of it,
and when the breeze got
up, sparks would have
escaped.
Brazier sparks fire
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FOOD RECALL
Neill Cropper & Company
Golden Boy Fish Sauce
200ml
All Batch Numbers
Neill Cropper & Company are initiating a recall of their
Golden Boy Fish Sauce 200ml after discovering a piece of
glass in one of the bottles. All Golden Boy Fish Sauce
200ml should not be consumed.
There have been no reports of illness, however any person
concerned about their health should seek medical advice.
The product is sold in supermarkets and other food retailers
throughout New Zealand. Customers should return the
product to their retailer for a full refund or phone 09 579
0963 with any queries.
This recall does not affect any other Golden Boy product.
Neill Cropper & Co. Ltd